nrl finals

[ben]

We win this weekend - we play the Cowboys
We lose this weekend (even if we finish 3rd) - We play Canberra.

Who would you rather play?

For me, two weeks ago I would of preferred to play the Cowboys over Canberra. Canberra looked unstoppable, but of late Canberra seems to have dropped off a bit. So my preference is for Canberra.

I also hope the Tiges sneak past the titans. Only for the fact that Taylor (as much as I dislike him) did not succumb to pressure and reinstate Farrah. It would validate his decision.

Shaping up for a good finals series.

 

[HaroldBishop]

The Cows aren't guaranteed of finishing 4th.

 

[Sir Chadley]

I really don't care who we play.

We have to beat all the top teams to win the comp so bring them all on.

 

[sharks2010]

We should tank this weekend so we play the raiders...

 

[HaroldBishop]

We should tank this weekend so we play the raiders...

We're playing in the right city for tanking.

 

[ben]

The Cows aren't guaranteed of finishing 4th.

The cowboys play the titans and the broncos play the roosters. The Cowboys will destroy the titans - did you watch their last game against the dogs? The dogs played amazing and lost.

So we either play the cowboys or the broncos, and given that it will be an upset if the titans win, Im picking we play the cowboys.

 

[egg]

We should tank this weekend so we play the raiders...

Give Mr Hayson and Foran a call

 

[ben]

I really don't care who we play.

We have to beat all the top teams to win the comp so bring them all on.

We dont have to beat all the top teams. We only have to beat 3 teams to win it.

We win in the first round of the finals series we go straight through to the grand final qualifier.

 

[HaroldBishop]

The cowboys play the titans and the broncos play the roosters. The Cowboys will destroy the titans - did you watch their last game against the dogs? The dogs played amazing and lost.

So we either play the cowboys or the broncos, and given that it will be an upset if the titans win, Im picking we play the cowboys.

It's the likely scenario but it's by no means a given as your OP suggested. The Tits obviously have a lot to play for as well.

 

[evertonshark]

Like to see us lose the first week of the finals so we can play a team outside the top 4 in the second week

 

[slide rule]

Like to see us lose the first week of the finals so we can play a team outside the top 4 in the second week

More football to watch in our premiership year.

 

[CrankyShark]

I think it is obvious we would rather face the Raiders than the Cows or Broncos in terms of opposition with Austin out.

However I think over all it is better to be back in the groove of winning. It is nice that a loss will hopefully not be a devastating blow and the side should be able to bounce back considering Melbourne is not exactly a happy hunting ground.

 

[HaroldBishop]

I think it is obvious we would rather face the Raiders than the Cows or Broncos in terms of opposition with Austin out.

However I think over all it is better to be back in the groove of winning. It is nice that a loss will hopefully not be a devastating blow and the side should be able to bounce back considering Melbourne is not exactly a happy hunting ground.

Definitely.

 

[Sir Chadley]

The cowboys play the titans and the broncos play the roosters. The Cowboys will destroy the titans - did you watch their last game against the dogs? The dogs played amazing and lost.

So we either play the cowboys or the broncos, and given that it will be an upset if the titans win, Im picking we play the cowboys.

Not sure if you were watching the same game mate. The Bulldogs have been **** for some time now.

 

[Sir Chadley]

We dont have to beat all the top teams. We only have to beat 3 teams to win it.

We win in the first round of the finals series we go straight through to the grand final qualifier.

And they could be any of the top teams.

I can tell you now the players don't give a razz who they play - they are out there to win no matter the opposition.

I really can't stand all this, "Who would you prefer to play" talk - it is pointless and ridiculous. As Cranky said there is no substitute for winning. It breeds confidence and keeps the momentum going.

This saturday against the Storm - just win.
Week 1 of the finals against whoever - just win.
Have a week off and then play in week 3 - just win.
Make the GF in week 4 - just win.

Mission accomplised without worrying about who we do or don't want to play.

 

[Sharkyle]

And they could be any of the top teams.

I can tell you now the players don't give a razz who they play - they are out there to win no matter the opposition.

I really can't stand all this, "Who would you prefer to play" talk - it is pointless and ridiculous. As Cranky said there is no substitute for winning. It breeds confidence and keeps the momentum going.

This saturday against the Storm - just win.
Week 1 of the finals against whoever - just win.
Have a week off and then play in week 3 - just win.
Make the GF in week 4 - just win.

Mission accomplised without worrying about who we do or don't want to play.

Its just more of a discussion mate, thinking in an ideal world.

My preference would be to play raiders in Sydney, I thought that was almost guaranteed a few weeks ago but now looks like the most unlikely scenario.

 

[BurgoShark]

We win this weekend - we play the Cowboys
We lose this weekend (even if we finish 3rd) - We play Canberra.

Who would you rather play?

For me, two weeks ago I would of preferred to play the Cowboys over Canberra. Canberra looked unstoppable, but of late Canberra seems to have dropped off a bit. So my preference is for Canberra.

I also hope the Tiges sneak past the titans. Only for the fact that Taylor (as much as I dislike him) did not succumb to pressure and reinstate Farrah. It would validate his decision.

Shaping up for a good finals series.

The cowboys play the titans and the broncos play the roosters. The Cowboys will destroy the titans - did you watch their last game against the dogs? The dogs played amazing and lost.

So we either play the cowboys or the broncos, and given that it will be an upset if the titans win, Im picking we play the cowboys.

The Roosters beat the Broncos 3 weeks ago. I don't think the Titans will win, but if they do it could mix things up a LOT

There are a few scenarios where a Sydney double header could be played. Having Canberra, Penrith and the Tigers all playing this Sunday is a scheduling factor too.

The Storm can finish 1st or 2nd
The Sharks can finish 1st, 2nd or 3rd
The Raiders can finish 2nd or 3rd, and can not play Friday night
The Cowboys can finish 4th, 5th or 6th
The Broncos can finish 4th, 5th 6th or 7th
The Bulldogs can finish 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th
The Panthers can finish 5th, 6th or 7th and can not play Friday night
The Titans can finish 8th.
The Tigers can finish 8th and can not play Friday night

Any scenario which has both Cronulla and either the Bulldogs or Panthers playing a home semi, will possibly result in a double header on Saturday night. The main issue with that is that if we finish first and the Tigers happen to squeak in, neither of the 2v3 or the 5v8 games could be played on Friday night. That would kill the double header for us ... but there could still be the possibility of BOTH the Panthers and Bulldogs getting home semis (Panthers would need to make up 40 points of F/A on Brisbane), in which case you might see a double header featuring the bottom 4 teams, and whoever isn't playing Canberra would play Friday night.

Should be a fun weekend to watch everything unfold. I'd like to see it pan out like this, and I'm sure the NRL would too (Sydney double header and an out of town game on each of Friday night and Sunday). I don't really care who we play - I'd just like us to finish on top and/or have a home semi. The below is just how I'd like to see the rest of the teams match up in week 1.

- Sharks beat Storm
- Broncos lose by a lot
- Panthers win by a lot
- Titans beat the Cowboys

1. Sharks
2. Storm
3. Raiders
4. Bulldogs
5. Cowboys
6. Panthers
7. Broncos
8. Titans

 

[Tiger Shark]

The Cows aren't guaranteed of finishing 4th.

They aren't but the Broncos and Dogs both play before them, and if they both lose(unlikely) then Cowboys have 4th locked in regardless off the result, so they might rest players. Which makes it easier for the Titans and harder for the Tigers, who might not be as motivated on Sunday if they know they aren't a chance of finals footy. And we need the Tigers to win if we lose on Saturday.

So we need either the Broncos or Dogs to win to make sure the Cowboys turn up and beat the Titans.

Also we can just win, but need to cover our bases

 

[hitman124]

End of the day, it shouldn't matter who we play. We're either good enough to be premiers, or we aren't.

 

[Gards]

Would be so much easier if they just gave us the trophy and told all the other teams to come back next year...